This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahih Fazail-e-Amaal.
◈The Virtue of Faith and Piety:
After the change of Qibla, some Muslims expressed great joy, and their enthusiasm reached such an extent that making the Kaaba the Qibla became, in their view, the greatest purpose of religion. Then this noble verse was revealed that righteousness is not that one turns his face towards the east or the west, but righteousness is that one believes in Allah (who is endowed with every perfect attribute and free from every defect), and believes in the Last Day and all its details as informed by Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ, and believes in the angels with all their details as informed by Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ, and believes in all the scriptures revealed by Allah to His messengers, especially the greatest book of Allah, the Holy Quran, and all the noble prophets, especially the Seal of the Prophets Muhammad ﷺ. Likewise, righteousness is that one spends his excellent wealth on relatives, orphans, the needy, travelers, beggars, and freeing slaves, establishes prayer, gives zakat, fulfills promises made to Allah and His servants, and is patient and steadfast in times of hardship and calamity and while striving in the cause of Islam against its enemies.
It is stated that these are the ones who are truthful in their faith because their words and actions confirm their heartfelt faith, and they have proven that fear, terror, and the circumstances of the time cannot change them. This indicates that whoever, after faith, is not characterized by the above qualities is not truthful in his claim of faith. And these are truly the pious because they have abandoned prohibitions and forbidden acts and adopted righteous deeds as their way. Thus Allah Almighty says:
﴿لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ﴾
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; and who establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:177)
Whoever believes in Allah Almighty and the Last Day, fearing His punishment and torment, will obey His commands, avoid prohibitions, and respect His limits. Allah will make ways for him to escape hardships and will provide him sustenance from sources he never imagined. Thus it is stated:
﴿مَن كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا . وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ.﴾
Whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.
Reference: (64-At-Talaq:2,3)
Allah the Great and Exalted sent Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) as a mercy to his people and commanded him to invite his people to monotheism, warn them against polytheism, and inform them that if they do not desist from polytheism, Allah, the Compeller and the Subduer, will punish them with a painful torment.
Accordingly, Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) immediately obeyed his Lord’s command and said to his people: I have been sent by Allah to warn you clearly and explicitly against disbelief and polytheism. My invitation is that you all worship only the true God, associate no partners with Him in worship, always fear Him, obey my commands and prohibitions, for I am the Messenger of Allah. I command you according to Allah’s command and forbid you according to His command.
If you accept my invitation, Allah will forgive your sins and let you live until your appointed term, meaning He will not hasten punishment. It cannot be averted. If only you understood these matters, you would surely turn to Allah, repent from your sins, and seek His forgiveness:
﴿قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ . أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاتَّقُوهُ وَأَطِيعُونِ . يَغْفِرْ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُؤَخِّرْكُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّهِ إِذَا جَاءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ ۖ لَوْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ.﴾
He said, "O my people, I am to you a clear warner, [Saying], 'Worship Allah, fear Him and obey me. Allah will forgive you of your sins and delay you for a specified term. Indeed, the time [set by] Allah, when it comes, will not be delayed, if you only knew.'"
Reference: (71-Nuh:2-4)
All humans are descendants of Adam and Eve. Therefore, in terms of lineage, all are equal. Among them, whoever is more pious, obedient, and submissive to Allah and His Messenger will have a higher status in the sight of Allah. Thus Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ﴾
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.
Reference: (49-Al-Hujurat:13)
Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked: Who is the most honored person? He replied:
أكرمهم عند الله أتقاكم
The most honored of people in the sight of Allah is the one who is most fearful of Him.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, No. 4689.
Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
”إن الله لا ينظر إلى صوركم وأموالكم ولكن ينظر إلى قلوبكم وأعمالكم.“
Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and deeds.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtue and Maintaining Ties, No. 6543
In the following noble verse, Allah Almighty teaches the lesson of the world’s instability and striving for success in the Hereafter: O servants! The life of this world is nothing but amusement and play, so do not become enslaved by its pleasures and keep striving to make your Hereafter successful, for true success is the success of the Hereafter, and it is only for the pious. Thus Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۖ وَلَلدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ﴾
And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah. Do you not then understand?
Reference: (6-Al-An'am:32)
At all times and in all circumstances, a servant should maintain a connection with Allah Almighty, adopt His fear, be afraid of His punishment, and acknowledge His greatness and majesty in his heart and mind. Thus Allah Almighty says:
﴿ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ﴾
O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].
Reference: (3-Ali Imran:102)
In Surah At-Taghabun, it is said: O people! Fear Allah as much as you can, understand His commands well, and act upon them. And spend from the wealth Allah has given you in His way; this is good for you. Know that those who will succeed and be saved in the Hereafter are only those whom Allah protects from the greed for wealth, from worshiping it, and from the disease of stinginess, which causes them to avoid spending Allah’s given wealth in His way. Thus Allah, the Lord of Glory, says:
﴿فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ﴾
Fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your souls. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
Reference: (64-At-Taghabun:16)
In the following noble verse, Allah Almighty advises the people of Islam on two matters: First, to adopt His fear, meaning to fear His punishment, fulfill obligations, and avoid prohibitions and forbidden acts. Second, to always speak the truth and say what is right. Furthermore, the fruit of these two is that Allah, the Forgiving, the Merciful, will accept their good deeds and forgive their sins because good deeds erase sins. Finally, they are given glad tidings that whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fulfills commands, and avoids prohibitions will achieve great success. Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا . يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا.﴾
O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.
Reference: (33-Al-Ahzab:70,71)
Because of adopting piety, Allah instills awe and honor for a person in the hearts of people, and no one dares to encroach upon his family, wealth, honor, and dignity. Allah’s command is:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ﴾
O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.
Reference: (8-Al-Anfal:29)
And in Surah Al-Hashr, Allah Almighty advises the believers to fear Allah in all apparent and hidden matters, to constantly strive to improve their Hereafter, and to always remember that Allah is watching their deeds and recording them; nothing is hidden from His knowledge. Thus Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ﴾
O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do.
Reference: (59-Al-Hashr:18)
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet ﷺ used to supplicate:
اللهم إني أسألك الهدى والتقى والعفاف والغنى
O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Remembrance and Supplication, No. 6904.
A person should always adopt pious and righteous deeds. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من حلف على يمين ، ثم رأى أتقى لله منها فليأت التقوى
Whoever swears an oath and then sees a more pious course of action than that oath, let him adopt it.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter on Encouragement to Break an Oath if a Better Option is Seen, No. 4275.
Piety leads a person to Paradise. Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked: By which deed will most people enter Paradise? He ﷺ replied:
قال: تقوى الله وحسن الخلق وسئل عن أكثر ما يدخل الناس النار ، فقال: الفم والفرج
Piety and good character.
Then he was asked: Which deed will cause most people to enter the Hellfire? He ﷺ said: The misuse of the mouth and private parts.
Reference: Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Virtue and Maintaining Ties, Chapter on Good Character, No. 2004.
Imam Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) graded it as Hasan Isnad.Adopting piety opens the doors of ease and blessings in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا
And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out.
Reference: (64-At-Talaq:4)
Allah Almighty described the lack of faith of the destroyed nations, stating that they were devoid of faith and piety. Had they believed in the prophets of their time, avoided disobedience, and adhered to righteous deeds, Allah would have opened the doors of blessings from the heavens and the earth for them. But they denied the messengers, so Allah seized them because of their disbelief and polytheism. He said:
﴿وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَاتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ﴾
And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning.
Reference: (7-Al-A'raf:96)
Hasan Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said that a believer continues to do good deeds and fears Allah, while a wicked person continues to sin yet considers himself safe.
Reference: (Taysir ar-Rahman: 382/1)
Allah Almighty accepts the goodness only of the pious. Among the two sons of Adam, the one whose sacrifice Allah accepted is mentioned with these words:
﴿إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].
Reference: (5-Al-Ma'idah:27)
Piety is the best provision for the journey. Allah, the Lord of Glory, says:
﴿وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ﴾
And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:197)
The best garment is faith and piety. Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ﴾
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.
Reference: (7-Al-A'raf:26)
For any servant, wealth, health, and strength are only beneficial when they are accompanied by piety, meaning a life of faith and righteous deeds. Ahmad ibn Majah and Hakim narrated from Abdullah ibn Habib, from his uncle (Yasar ibn Abdullah Al-Muzani, may Allah be pleased with him), who said: We were in a gathering when the Prophet ﷺ came, and the effect of water was still on his blessed head. Someone said to the Prophet ﷺ: Today we see you cheerful. He ﷺ said: Yes, Alhamdulillah! Then people began to talk about comfort, and the Prophet ﷺ said:
”لا بأس بالغنى لمن اتقى والصحة لمن اتقى خير من الغنى وطيب النفس من الغنى.“
For the pious, there is no hardship in the city, and health is better than comfort for the pious, and cheerfulness is from comfort.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad, No. 23158 - Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapters on Trade, No. 2157 - Mustadrak Hakim: 3/2.
Hakim graded it as Sahih, and Hafiz Dhahabi agreed with him. Al-Busiri also graded it as Sahih.
Reference: Silsilat al-Sahihah: 125/1 - 126.
Through faith and piety, one attains the friendship of Allah Almighty. Allah says:
﴿بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ وَاتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
Indeed, he who fulfills his commitment and fears Allah - then Allah loves the righteous.
Reference: (3-Ali Imran:76)
Piety grants a person the great honor of becoming a friend of the Noble Messenger ﷺ. Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent him to Yemen, he accompanied him while giving advice and said:
”إن أهل بيتي هؤلاء يرون أنهم أولى الناس بي وإن أولى الناس بي المتقون من كانوا وحيث كانوا.“
Indeed, my family thinks that they have the most relation to me among the people, but indeed the most pious people are the closest to me, whoever they are and wherever they are.
Reference: Al-Ihsan fi Tartib Sahih Ibn Hibban: 414/2, 410, No. 647 - Musnad Ahmad: 376/36, No. 52-22 -
Shaykh Shoaib graded the chains of this hadith as strong.Imam Ibn Hibban titled this hadith with the following words:
”ذكر الخبر الدال على أن أولياء المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم هم المتقون دون أقربائه إذا كانوا فجرة.“
A hadith indicating that indeed the friends of Mustafa ﷺ are the pious rather than his relatives when those relatives are wicked.
Piety brings the love of Allah Almighty. Allah says:
﴿بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ وَاتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
Indeed, he who fulfills his commitment and fears Allah - then Allah loves the righteous.
Reference: (3-Ali Imran:76)
One fruit of piety is that Allah’s companionship is attained. Allah says:
﴿وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
And fear Allah and know that Allah is with the righteous.
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:194)
Allah Almighty has taught Muslims how to protect themselves from the evil and corruption of disbelievers: Muslims should develop the habit of patience in trials from Allah. If they do so, the cunning and deceit of the disbelievers will not harm them because whoever trusts in Allah, is patient in trials, and seeks help only from Him will surely succeed in his goals. Allah will never let him be lost and will grant him victory and help against the enemy. Whoever seeks help from others will be left to himself and deprived of Allah’s help:
﴿وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ﴾
And if you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do.
Reference: (3-Ali Imran:120)
If only Muslims today would try this remedy and not bow before others besides Allah, not make great powers their gods, not seek help from them instead of Allah, then Allah’s promise would always be the same: victory and success would kiss their feet, honor and leadership would crown their heads, and other nations would bow before them. Is there anyone who will listen to this call?
Reference: (Tisr ar-Rahman, p. 204)
